Pet Doors for Cats

Many pet owners are surprised that there are so many cat doors available. So what's the difference between a small dog door and a cat flap? Using specific cat doors and cat flaps for your cat offer better protection and security for you and your cat. To be blunt, purchasing a cat door for your cat is the superior choice. Read more in the FAQs below.

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Should I Allow My Cat in the Yard?

One of the biggest questions that our customers have when they think about a cat flap is how they're going to contain the cat once he gets out into the yard. Remember, it can be dangerous for the cat if you simply let her roam the neighborhood. Both Purr...fect Fence and Cat Fence-In have containment systems to keep your cat confined safely in your yard. Check them out. Either way, you'll keep your cat safe and that's what matters.

Notes: If you want to install a cat flap in a wall, it's going to be easier if you choose one that accepts tunnel sections that will "frame out" the wall for you. You'll find these tunnel sections at Cat Door Tunnel Sections.

If you get an magnetic or electronic cat flap that uses a key instead of your cat's microchip, you'll find extra Collar Keys on our site. We think it's a good idea to keep a spare handy.

Will my cat use the pet door?

Only your cat knows the answer of whether or not they will use a pet door. Physically, yes they can use a pet door. But cats make their own choices! Positive reinforcement will go a long way in getting your cat comfortable with using their cat door, and you can reduce magnet strength or turn a training mode on for the more challenging to push pet doors.

How will the cat door prevent other animals from entering my home?

If you have a problem with other critters coming into your home, you will want to consider one of the electronic cat door options. With the use of electronics, a cat door can have selective entry, and open only for cats wearing a special collar key. Some will have extra useful features like timers, too.

Will I need to replace parts in the cat door frequently?

Most cat doors have rigid flaps, which are incredibly durable and long-lasting. Flexible vinyl flaps are more subject to wear and tear and may need replacing after a rough season.

What's the Difference between a cat door and a dog door?

Thirty years ago in the United States pet doors were generally 'small', 'medium', 'large' and 'extra large'. If you had a cat, you generally used a 'small' unless it was a very big cat.

Then we began seeing 'cat flaps' imported from the UK and people began buying them for cats instead of the 'small' sizes. The 'cat flaps' do differ a bit in design. They tend to be much more square, they have rigid flaps and they're always plastic framed.However, if you prefer a flexible flap or a metal frame or would like the flap to be taller than it is wide there is no good reason not to get one of the original 'small' (or larger) sized pet doors. Likewise, if a particular 'cat' door is a good fit for your dog and has the features you want, get it! Just don't tell the dog.

What is 4-way lock?

2-way locks only have the normal "Locked" and "Unlocked" options. Unlocked- This setting allows entry in both directions. Locked - This setting allows no entry in either direction. Out-Only - When the pet goes out, he cannot come back in again. A possible use for this setting would be a case where you want the pet out during the day. You'd set the flap on "out only" in the morning. In-Only - When the pet comes in, he cannot go back out again. One possible use would be a case where you want the pet in at night. You set the pet door for "in only" in the evening. Sometimes, the 4-way locking mechanism is incorporated in an electronic pet door. In these cases, the 4-way lock will override the electronics. For example, your cat wears a collar key so only he may come in your pet door. But, if your pet door is also set for 'out only' no animal, including your cat, may come in. Cat flaps with 4-way locks always have rigid flaps which are necessary for the mechanism to work.

Our CatMate door has little red sliders to lock and unlock the cat door. Do you have some replacements?

Unfortunately for small parts like these, only the manufacturer could provide replacements. This would include sliding lock tabs, or dials found on cat doors.